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Police arrest three, seize $1.3 M in York heroin bust

By TED CZECH York Daily Record/Sunday News

Updated:
10/22/2013 06:46:41 AM EDT

More than $1.3 million in heroin was seized by police when they arrested three people in York, culminating an eight-month investigation by Pennsylvania State Police and the York County Drug Task Force.

"This is a significant bust," York County District Attorney Tom Kearney said Monday during a news conference. "What we're doing is, we're tracking down the major suppliers."

The arrests were the result of information developed during the previous, 18-month drug interdiction effort known as Operation Sunrise, which netted more than 100 arrests for heroin distribution, according to a news release.

"The individuals who were arrested during this investigation were in fact some of the suppliers to the street-level dealers who were arrested during Operation Sunrise," York County Chief Deputy Prosecutor David Sunday said Monday.

Police charged Junior "Omi" Gonzalez, 36, of the 2700 block of Hunt Club Drive, York Township, with delivery/possession with the intent to deliver heroin and criminal conspiracy; Angel "Kiko" Barbosa, 31, and Julie Gonzalez-Morales, 32, both of the 400 block of Salem Avenue, York, with possession with the intent to deliver heroin and criminal conspiracy.

On Monday, Barbosa was in York County Prison on $75,000 bail, while Gonzalez was being held on $125,000 bail. Even if they were to try to post bail, they would remain there on state parole violations, according to the prison.

Gonzalez-Morales was brought to the prison on Thursday, and was released the next day when she posted $50,000 bail, according to the prison.
"The amount of heroin that was seized can be divided into 66,000 hits," of heroin, Sunday said. "It's a tremendous amount."

He said the heroin seized was to be distributed not only in the City of York, but all over York County.

The investigation began in February, as police began talking with informants and other sources and conducting surveillance, the release states.
In addition, drug officers made heroin purchases over the past eight months, which led to three search warrants being executed on Wednesday.

Police simultaneously served warrants at Barbosa and Gonzalez-Morales' home, their business, J&J Auto Detailing Shop, located in the 200 block of East Chestnut Street, York, and Gonzalez' home.

At Barbosa and Gonzalez-Morales' home, police found quantities of unpackaged, bulk heroin, tens of thousands of bags used to package heroin; drug distribution-related processing equipment such as screens, grinders and electronic scales, and cash, the release states.

Sunday said the heroin was found "raw" - that is, in large chunks, "which is indicative of something that is going to be prepared for sale."

Police also seized a quantity of marijuana with a street value in excess of $10,000. At J&J Auto Detailing Shop, police found cash and other records, and seized 13 vehicles associated with the business. And, at Gonzalez's home, police found cash and other records, the release states.

Two others, Jorge Gallardo, 44, and Gerald Custodio, 34, both of York, were located at J&J Auto Detailing and found to be in possession of drug paraphernalia, and also were charged, police said.